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A review by talking_to_trees
Unless by Carol Shields
3.0
I must admit that I have never before read a Carol Shields novel, so I am unable to compare this to any of her previous work, which a lot of other reviews did. This particular novel tough, I found riveting, although slightly disturbing due to having a daughter myself and finding myself resonating on various levels with Reta's feelings and actions pertaining to her daughter's withdrawal from society.
Maybe because of this, I read the book rather quickly, desperately needing to know that in the end everything turned out ok for everyone involved. The story centers around Reta Winters and her family: Tom, her husband, and their 3 lovely daughters, Norah, Natalie and Christine, with Reta Winters being the narrator of the story. The eldest daughter Norah, has withdrawn from society, begging on a street corner, wearing a sign that reads 'goodness'. Her family members are baffled, but dealing with it as best they can. As she tries to figure out the meaning of Norah's withdrawal, Reta meditates upon the society we live in, a woman's place within society, and indeed, she covers several generations and even cultures in this respect.
Her views are interesting and an eye opener, to say the least, although I must admit, I haven't ever felt discriminated against for being a woman; Maybe because I don't look for it (although Reta's views certainly opened that world up for me) or maybe just because I live in the genre that no longer feels it has to fight that battle. In any case, besides this particular point, a whole range of thoughts are penned down: Thoughts on goodness, the meaning and interpretation thereof; Trauma and its effect on our lives; Hope; Inclusion; Greatness; And not the least of it, woman's rights versus actual equality and a level playing field. The whole novel had a feminist overtone, but not one that was offensive or even over-bearing in that whole "I hate all men and all men are bastards" voice.
In Reta Winters, Shields create a wonderful character: A Forty-four year old housewife, who, in the 80's, had a problem giving up her maiden surname, yet became a housewife, and later a translator and writer by accident; A woman who loves her family and hardly every thought of the playing field at all, until the moment her daughter withdraws from society.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the title of the book. It is a fine title and she has a whole chapter on the word unless, but I find it a little forced, equaling unless to hope... I am not a title-wiz, so far be it from me to suggest the correct one, but I found the title slightly forced and feel that it could have been better.
Overall, a hugely enjoyable book. I found a lot of reviews stating that this was not Shields' best work. I will have to read her other novels to find out if this is the truth of it or not, but I not opposed to that idea at all.
Maybe because of this, I read the book rather quickly, desperately needing to know that in the end everything turned out ok for everyone involved. The story centers around Reta Winters and her family: Tom, her husband, and their 3 lovely daughters, Norah, Natalie and Christine, with Reta Winters being the narrator of the story. The eldest daughter Norah, has withdrawn from society, begging on a street corner, wearing a sign that reads 'goodness'. Her family members are baffled, but dealing with it as best they can. As she tries to figure out the meaning of Norah's withdrawal, Reta meditates upon the society we live in, a woman's place within society, and indeed, she covers several generations and even cultures in this respect.
Her views are interesting and an eye opener, to say the least, although I must admit, I haven't ever felt discriminated against for being a woman; Maybe because I don't look for it (although Reta's views certainly opened that world up for me) or maybe just because I live in the genre that no longer feels it has to fight that battle. In any case, besides this particular point, a whole range of thoughts are penned down: Thoughts on goodness, the meaning and interpretation thereof; Trauma and its effect on our lives; Hope; Inclusion; Greatness; And not the least of it, woman's rights versus actual equality and a level playing field. The whole novel had a feminist overtone, but not one that was offensive or even over-bearing in that whole "I hate all men and all men are bastards" voice.
In Reta Winters, Shields create a wonderful character: A Forty-four year old housewife, who, in the 80's, had a problem giving up her maiden surname, yet became a housewife, and later a translator and writer by accident; A woman who loves her family and hardly every thought of the playing field at all, until the moment her daughter withdraws from society.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the title of the book. It is a fine title and she has a whole chapter on the word unless, but I find it a little forced, equaling unless to hope... I am not a title-wiz, so far be it from me to suggest the correct one, but I found the title slightly forced and feel that it could have been better.
Overall, a hugely enjoyable book. I found a lot of reviews stating that this was not Shields' best work. I will have to read her other novels to find out if this is the truth of it or not, but I not opposed to that idea at all.